Part of Interstate 95 in Rhode Island will be closed Sept. 13-16 and again Sept. 20-23.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said on thjose dates it will close two lanes on sluthbound I-95 near the Elmwood Avenue/Route 1 off-ramp (Exit 34) in Providence for the replacement of the Elmwood Avenue Bridge. RIDOT said it strongly suggests that travelers use alternate routes such as Route 10 and I-295 on both weekends and plan additional time for travel.
Each weekend, the lane closures will allow RIDOT to demolish and replace different parts of this structurally deficient bridge. The southbound portion of the bridge will be done on these two weekends in September, and similar lane closures are planned later in the fall for the northbound portion of the bridge. The bridge is one of the busiest sections of I-95 and carries 130,000 vehicles per day, according to RIDOT.
The closures start each weekend at 8 p.m. on Fridays with all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday morning. Additionally, the high-speed lane on I-95 North will be closed during these times.
Starting Sept. 11 and for the week of Sept. 16-20, there will be a lane split on I-95 south at the bridge with two lanes on either side of the work zone. Drivers should not stop or suddenly change lanes at the split. This unsafe behavior will cause traffic delays and could lead to a crash. All lanes go through, said RIDOT.
The bridge replacement work also requires the full closure of Elmwood Avenue at the I-95 overpass. During the closure, drivers can follow a signed detour using Reservoir Avenue (Route 2) and getting on Route 10 to reach Elmwood Avenue. Local traffic north of the bridge can also use Roger Williams Avenue to reach the detour route. There will be no changes for traffic on Elmwood Avenue northbound or I-95 north to Exit 33B trying to reach Roger Williams Park. Anyone heading to the park on I-95 south or Elmwood Avenue southbound will follow the detour route.
The schedule for the bridge replacement and traffic impacts is as follows:
Sept. 11: By the morning rush hour, there will be a lane split on I-95 South beginning before the Elmwood Avenue off-ramp (Exit 34) with two lanes on either side of the split. All lanes go through. It also will be in effect on September 12-13.
Sept. 13-16: The two left lanes on I-95 South and the left lane on I-95 North will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night, September 13. Also, Elmwood Avenue will be closed at the bridge. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, September 16.
Sept. 16-20: There will be a lane split on I-95 South beginning before the Elmwood Avenue off-ramp (Exit 34) with two lanes on either side of the split. All lanes go through.
Sept. 20-23: The two right lanes on I-95 South and the left lane on I-95 North will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night, September 20. Also, Elmwood Avenue will be closed at the bridge. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, September 23.
Later this Fall: RIDOT will schedule two weekend closures for I-95 at Elmwood Avenue. More details will be announced well in advance.
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